The angel Gabriel, by God to Mary, had been sent.

Mary’s town was Nazareth so to Nazareth he went.

Mary was a mild woman, one of little fame.

She was betrothed to a man, and Joseph was his name.

 

In Nazareth, in this small home, this very humble place,

The angel told Mary that she was full of grace.

For Mary was a lowly woman.  It was God whom she adored.

The Lord was with Mary. And Mary with the Lord.

 

Mary, by the angel’s words, became troubled greatly.

One might suspect perhaps she even feared for her safety.

She stopped to ponder just what kind of greeting this might be.

But the angel told Mary, not to be afraid, for in reality,

 

God was very pleased with Mary, for to God, Mary had been bound.

By her humble obedience, Mary had God’s favor found.

The angel said she’d bear a Son.  This was the angel’s claim,

He would be Son of the Most High.  Jesus would be his name.

 

He would rule over Jacob’s house.  The angel helped Mary see,

He would have the throne of David, and great would He be.

The child would be Holy, the Son of God utmost

And Mary would be overshadowed by the Holy Ghost.

 

The angel then told Mary, something else quite new;

her cousin Elizabeth, in old age, was with child too.

Elizabeth once barren, was now in the sixth month,

for her who’d never borne a child, no child even once.

 

For our God can overcome all things, for God there is no obstacle.

For our good and loving God “nothing is impossible.”

Mary, to all of this, in honor of the God whom she adored

Proclaimed to the angel: “…I am the handmaid of the Lord.”

 

Dear Father up in heaven, may we say “yes” to You.

In a new way this Advent, all sin may we eschew.

May we follow Mother Mary, so humble and so pure,

May we put You first in all things, be the One Whom we adore.

 

Father, we pray for daughters.  And we pray for sons.

May they say “Yes” to You.  May it be Your race they run.

May they hear the voice of angels.  To sin become resistant.

May they seek Christ forever more and find Him as an Infant.

 

May we follow the light of Christ, in all we say and do.

May we prepare a special place, in our hearts for You.